Leaving Summer Behind, A Really Hard Few Days, and School Starts!
sarahdarr
Life has been pretty hectic as of late. We got home from vacation and only had a couple weeks to recover before things went into overdrive. I went into school the week before we had our official work week to set up my room. I’m so glad I did that because on the morning August 4th, which was my official first work day back (this is the week before students show up), Tracy called to let me know that Mom had passed away. Even though I had anticipated it (there had been talk in the family chat about dropping O2 levels and other signs that she was slipping), it was still a punch to the gut. I let the kids know, called Paul and let him know, and then…well, I went to work. Then pragmatic part of me knew that work would distract me but also help me make sure that all my boxes would be ticked before having to leave for her funeral. I got through that hard week and the first week of school just fine. Mom’s funeral was on the 22nd, so I worked through the 21st and flew out to CA that night. I was anticipating getting in that night, but due to several issues with flights, I ended up spending the night IN the Phoenix Airport before flying into Ontario just a few hours before the funeral was supposed to start. I am forever grateful for Karen Ward. She is the mom of of a girl I was really close to during our junior high and high school years. We were in the same ward and she was a dear friend of Mom’s, especially in the last part of her life. She had offered to get me from the airport and let me stay at her house. This was before all the drama. She drove to the airport and spent a long time trying to figure out when I would actually get in (it kept changing with planes and delays and then cancellations and more delays)…and then came back the next morning to get me. I was able to shower and eat breakfast before heading over to the funeral. It was a comfort walking through those church doors again. It was the building I grew up attending church and holds so many memories. There is a massive wall in the chapel made up entirely of rock that my dad helped build. Walking the halls, I heard echoes of ward parties, camp meetings, early morning seminary, firesides, and so much love. It’s where we had Beth’s funeral in 1997. And Dad’s in 2017. And now Mom’s in 2025. It’s going to be hard not having a reason to go back. The funeral itself was a beautiful reminder of eternal families and how while separation during this life is painful for those left behind, the reunion after this life is going to be so, so, so sweet. I find comfort knowing that Mom is back with Dad and Beth…her siblings and parents…my oldest sister, LeAnn, who was a preemie and didn’t live for more than a day or so (what a reunion THAT must have been). There must have been soooo many hugs. My flight back was slightly less eventful (only one delay and MASSIVE gate change that had me running across the airport to try to make my connecting flight…seriously…NEVER want to fly American Airlines again), I got home, and jumped back into life. We celebrated our 23rd wedding anniversary, my birthday, Joseph’s birthday, and then Paul’s. It’s hard to believe that September is almost over. I’m looking forward to the approach of the holidays (we may or may not already have Halloween decorations up, haha). Life is good, y’all.
Waiting in my car to go to a training during the summer. Yay?Paul had some Libertarian stuff that took him up to Michigan. He was able to get this fun shot. I forget that Michigan is that close to the Canadian border.She asked me to take a picture of her with her Care Bears.I was SOOOOO excited to load all this in my car. It was living in my bedroom for like, two months.I pulled out my wagon to take back to my classroom and someone wanted a ride, haha.The back of my car. Not too bad (the rest was all still in my classroom).This was the summer of tatume squash. The vines took over our backyard and we go soooo much squash. Luckily, it’s really good (especially roasted).What I walked into my first day of set-up.Tell me you’re a teacher’s kid without telling me you’re a teacher’s kid. She came a couple times not to help, exactly, but to get out of the house (and to give her brother a break from babysitting duties).She was much happier at home; especially when Paul turned on the sprinklers to test them and she got to enjoy running in them. Do you see squash vines? They were all over the perimeter of our yard. 🙂She wanted me to take her picture with Floppy.This kid loves ANY mascot. Even if it’s the mascot for our local grocery store, haha.The door to my room. I like being indoors so much. I can decorate my door, I don’t have to constantly check the weather, it’s only a 30-second trip to the bathroom, no bugs…so many benefits. One of my my sweet friends made the sign that is hanging above it.When I take it down at the end of the year, I’ll probably get it laminated.It was a long week, but I got it done! This picture is actually from right before Meet the Teacher, which was the week after I got my room done.Abigail and her teacher, Mrs. Zuniga. Abigail and our school mascot, Frankie. Like I said, she LOVES mascots.First day of 3rd grade!!This made me laugh. My dad (who this hat used to belong to) probably would have laughed, too.She loves comfy clothes and that includes church clothes. Paul calls this her Wednesday Addams outfit.One of my really close friends made this book counter for my classroom. My students have been burning through books for the last month, trying to see how high they can get this year.Abigail made me this sweet picture. I love her loving heart.Flying to California. It still trips me out travelling ABOVE the clouds.Driving up to the cemetery, Gary was already there, playing his pipes. I love hearing them, even at funerals.Mom actually had everything picked out and paid for. One last way that she and Dad took care of us. We didn’t have to worry about any of that.The flowers had all of her favorite colors.Mom and Dad are buried across the way from where Beth is buried. It was nice to be able to go see her grave.Mom and Dad next to each other (across that little road and to the left is where Beth is).Paul pulled this picture from Google. It was taken quite some time ago, since the camper was still there. The giant pine tree is gone, though, so this had to be some time after Paul and I got married.This was such a great house to grow up in and my parents provided such a wonderful childhood/young adulthood for all of us.I was only able to stay for a couple of days, but before I left, I made sure that we all got a picture in front of the house. It hasn’t been sold yet, so we were able to gather there to visit together.All the living siblings: Tracy, Alice, David, me, Aaron, Gary, and Kevin. We miss our Beth but rejoice that we will see her, our parents, and all our other family again someday.One of my sweet students brought this in for me after I got back from California. We went to Six Flags the weekend after Joseph’s birthday. I have ZERO pictures of him since he and two friends went off to ride the rides on their own. Abigail loved having me and Paul to herself. This may be the last time she gets to ride this ride…she was skating the height limit when they held the measurement ruler up to her.Riding the mini train.She loves the Bat Girl coaster.Flying on the swings.Getting ready to spin on Poison Ivy.I love that Six Flags decks itself out for September and October in Dia de Los Muertos decorations. It’s kind of my favorite part of Halloween in San Antonio. The colors are so vibrant and the idea of remembering and honoring our loved ones who have passed just…sits well with my soul. Abigail asks every year if we can make an ofrenda (an area that has pictures of our loved ones that is decorated with flowers and other decor) and every year I forget. I may try to make it happen this year.I finally bit the bullet and got progressive lenses. It took a bit to get used to the different parts of the lenses that have different strengths.Sometimes I just have to take pictures of them when they’re like this.Did I NEED a Halloween pillow with a ghost with a cowboy hat and stuff legs? No. Did I get one anyway? Yes.Celebrating Freedom Week (which is usually around the time of September 11th as well as Constitution Day which is on the 17th). For camouflage day, she had to bring my camo bear that Paul got me while he was in boot camp. I told her to be careful with him and she asked if it was because it was a “vintage” toy. I should be offended by that, haha.Proof the older one DOES exist!! He’s wearing the bass drum right in front. They had 8th grade night at a high school football game where all the 8th grade band members that are zoned for the high school got to go and play with the high school marching band. They got to do a standing performance on the field, and got to experience playing in the stands and watching the game as well. He came back STOKED. I think he’s going to want to do this for high school. It kinda makes my inner band geek want to jump for joy. I’m not stretching it by much when I say marching band pretty much was what helped me survive high school. Having a group of kids that I could hang out with and build bonds with (I still talk to several of them now…30 years later) was an integral part of my teen years. I hope he can do the same.
